Illustration | Angelo Esquivel

Illustration with Character & Purpose

Editorial, commercial, and digital illustrations crafted to connect with audiences.

American River

I pulled inspiration from the wildlife, the plants, the old stories, and the shifting geography that shape its path through Sacramento. As the river moves, it carries memories, rhythms, and the quiet connection between people and place. This illustration captures that journey—how the land breathes, how the water teaches, and how this river continues to shape the community I call home.

Will AI design your next home?

It was created for an article exploring whether AI’s imagination can truly meet reality, from design to construction. The art director challenged me to design a building inspired by the surreal, experimental look of early AI-generated imagery. I took the leap… and to my surprise, the piece was chosen for the cover.

It was one of those moments that reminds you what happens when you say yes to the unknown—the kind of creative growth you only find on the other side of fear.

Could Sacramento become Hollywood North?

This illustration was one of those commissions that makes your stomach drop in the best way. It was my first project of this kind, and when the art director explained the concept, I thought, “Wow… this is new territory.” I said yes anyway and spent days sketching during breaks and talking myself past the imposter syndrome. In the end, the piece was chosen for the cover — a reminder that saying yes before you feel ready can open doors you didn’t even know were there.

AI has Arrive

This piece was commissioned for an article exploring whether “everyone can be an artist” in the age of AI. Two classics flashed in my mind right away — The Birth of Venus and La Mona Lisa — and I imagined a modern twist: a hand holding a painter’s palette while AI recreates a masterpiece. It was a fun challenge to balance humor, questioning, and homage all in one image, and it pushed me to rethink what creativity means today.

What's Ahead for the Region's Economy in 2024

This illustration was commissioned for an article about the business horizon in 2024. The concept was a man in a suit riding a bull — a nod to the wild, unpredictable energy of the economy. I loved translating that metaphor into something visual: equal parts chaos, confidence, and humor. It became a fun challenge to capture how business leaders often have to hang on, stay sharp, and ride the momentum wherever it goes.

Going Meta

This illustration was commissioned for an article about the vast opportunities in VR. It shows a person wearing VR goggles, surrounded by glimpses of all the things she can explore and create in that space. I wanted to capture the excitement and limitless potential of virtual reality — a place where imagination, technology, and everyday life collide, and where the only limit is curiosity.

Cultural Capital

This was my first editorial commission, created for an article about the flow of city funding into the arts. I wanted to capture the movement and energy of resources fueling creativity — the way investment can ripple through a community, spark projects, and bring ideas to life. It was exciting to translate the abstract concept of “money in motion” into a visual story that feels dynamic and alive.

Hoppily Ever After

This label was a joy to create for an orange-flavored beer released during October’s Harvest Moon. The first thing that came to mind was two oranges playfully flirting under the glow of the harvest moon — and of course, they’re perched on the Co-op roof. I wanted the illustration to feel whimsical, seasonal, and full of character, capturing both the beer’s bright flavor and the playful spirit of the neighborhood.

2023

Freedge

This piece was commissioned through the Davis Food Co-op for Freedge, an organization that provides refrigerators to businesses and homes so people can donate unspoiled produce and groceries. The design needed to be simple for laser cutting but still impactful. I focused on two hands — giving and receiving food — to capture the generosity, connection, and community spirit at the heart of the project.

2020